Always Check the Pressure of the Pressure Cooker. Is it 15 pounds (psi)?

As you may have guessed from the name “pressure cooker,” the amount of pressure is important
for the quick cooking of food in a pressure cooker. The higher the pressure, the shorter the cooking
time. The Fagor Duo pressure cooker operates at 15 pounds (psi) pressure
on its High pressure setting (it also has a low pressure setting for cooking certain foods such as spinach).

Pressure cookers that cook at less than 15 pounds (psi)
pressure do the following:

defeat the huge speed advantage of pressure-cooking;

cost more money for electricity, natural gas or propane to use (why?);

When shopping for a pressure cooker, be aware that many pressure cookers (such as T-Fal and WMF) operate at lower
pressures such as 12 psi, 11 psi, 10 psi or even lower. The pressure of Lagostina's single-pressure pressure
cookers is only 8 psi! This is done to decrease the cost of those pressure cookers as thinner metal is used
in their construction. These lower pressures will significantly increase cooking time. Many low cost
pressure cookers do not list their operating pressure so are likely to be very low.

The table below shows how cooking temperature increases with pressure.

What’s the pressure?Look for 15 pounds (psi).

Pressure InsideThe Pressure Cooker

Cooking Temperature

0 pounds (psi)

100ºC (212ºF)

5 pounds (psi)

104ºC (220ºF)

10 pounds (psi)

113ºC (235ºF)

15 pounds (psi)

121ºC (250ºF)

Cooking
temperatures at different pressures:the higher the pressure, the shorter the cooking time.

Is the Pressure Cooker Made From Stainless Steel or Cheap Aluminum?

Fagor Duo Stainless Steel Construction

A layer of aluminium is sandwiched between two layers of
stainless steel forming a tri-ply encapsulated base. This ensures excellent heat conductivity for rapid,
even cooking. The bottom stainless steel layer is magnetic stainless steel so the Fagor Duo can
be used with all stove types including new induction stoves.

The European-designed Fagor Duo new generation pressure cooker is constructed of heavy
gauge, polished 18/10 stainless steel. Stainless steel is considered the best and safest material for cookware.
It is neutral and easy to clean.

Unlike low cost all aluminum pressure cookers, stainless steel pressure
cookers will not stain, will not leach aluminum into your food while cooking acidic foods such as tomatoes, and are
considerably stronger than aluminum types.

Pressure cookers constructed from all aluminum do not heat foods evenly, which can result in burned spaghetti sauces,
chilli, soups and stews. The Fagor Duo has a tri-ply base for even heat distribution
and energy efficiency (see the diagram). The even heating that results from the tri-ply base minimizes burning
or scorching of foods during cooking.

Is the Pressure Cooker Easy to Use?

The Fagor Duo has an easy closing cover—just line up the mark on the lid and the
mark on the handle and turn the lid—simple. Unlike competing models such as Lagostina or BRA, you don't
have to have a PhD in physics or read 20 pages of the instruction manual in order to close the lid. Other pressure
cookers use complicated lid clamping mechanisms.

Due to the lid design on some competing models, a lip is bent into the top of the pot body which makes pouring the
contents difficult. The Fagor Duo has a smooth pot body that allows easy emptying
of the pressure cooker and makes it easy to clean.

Fagor Duo's easy locking lid.

Just turn the dial to set the pressure. No noisy
“jigger valve.”

Selecting and releasing the pressure is also simple with the Fagor Duo pressure
cooker. Just turn the pressure selector dial to choose the pressure level or to release the pressure.
There is no complicated or noisy old fashion “jiggler valve” system like on other models such as the Presto.

Is the Pressure Cooker Dual Pressure?

Having dual pressure (both a high and a low pressure setting) allows you to cook at maximum speed on the high pressure
setting but still allows the cooking of delicate foods, such as some types of fish and seafood and some fruits
and vegetables such as spinach, on the low setting. The Fagor Duo's high pressure setting is 15 psi, and
its low pressure setting is 8 psi.

Don’t Forget the Handles. Allow Easy Handling?

A long handle on one side and a short helper handle on the other side make it easier to place and remove the
lid on the pressure cooker. The helper handle makes it easier and safer to move the pressure cooker
when it is full.

Long handles tend to be cooler than shorter handles as the longer handle isn’t
directly over the heat source.

Is the Pressure Cooker Easy to Clean?

Easy-to-use and clean pressure regulator.

The Fagor Duo pot is dishwasher safe. The pressure
selector dial is easily removed for cleaning: just twist and lift. Compare this with Magefesa pressure
cookers, for example, where their pressure regulator contains a gasket that is easily lost down the sink drain.
The Fagor Duo's pressure regulator does not use a gasket.

Safety of Pressure Cookers

What About Electric Pressure Cookers?

In comparison to an electric pressure cooker, the Fagor Duo pressure
cooker is very durable. The Fagor Duo also cooks much faster than an electric pressure cooker as the Fagor Duo
cooks at a higher pressure. There are no heating elements to burn out, negative health effects from non-stick
coatings to worry about or electronics to fail as with electric pressure cookers. For additional information about
the disadvantages of electric (or electronic) programmable pressure cookers, follow the link: